Long Island Home Health Aide Charged with Abusing Disabled Child

Authorities say Bruno Valenzuela was caught on camera violently hitting and shaking a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and developmental delays.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A 34-year-old home health aide named Bruno Valenzuela has been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a person with disabilities and endangering the welfare of a child after he was allegedly caught on camera forcefully slapping, squeezing, and shaking a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and developmental delays who was under his care in a Port Jefferson Station home.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of children and adults with disabilities who rely on home health aides for care, and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to protect them from abuse. It also raises concerns about the adequacy of training and screening for home health aides in New York.

The details

According to prosecutors, the abuse was discovered after the boy's father noticed bruises on his son and reviewed footage from cameras in the child's room. The video allegedly shows Valenzuela slapping the nonverbal, nonambulatory child multiple times, telling him to "chill the [expletive] out," as well as picking him up, squeezing him, and shaking him when the child did not calm down.

  • The alleged abuse incident occurred on December 20, 2025.
  • The father reported the abuse and provided the video evidence to authorities on December 22, 2025.
  • Valenzuela was arraigned on the charges on February 6, 2026.

The players

Bruno Valenzuela

A 34-year-old home health aide from Brentwood, New York who was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a person with disabilities and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly abusing a 5-year-old boy with disabilities under his care.

The 5-year-old boy

A nonverbal, nonambulatory child with cerebral palsy and developmental delays who was under the care of Valenzuela when the abuse allegedly occurred.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect our most vulnerable residents, especially children with disabilities who rely on home health aides for their care. This type of abuse is unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Timothy D. Sini, Suffolk County District Attorney

What’s next

Valenzuela is expected back in court on March 5, 2026, where a judge will determine if he will remain on supervised release with GPS monitoring or if he will be held on bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for stronger oversight, training, and accountability measures for home health aides in order to protect children and adults with disabilities from abuse. It also highlights the importance of families being vigilant and installing monitoring devices in homes where vulnerable loved ones are receiving care.